EP1361110A1 - Goods transportation vehicle with a lifting platform - Google Patents

Abstract

The vehicle, having a load-carrying floor (4) mounted on a chassis (20), is equipped with a loading platform (26) that can be moved between an upper position flush with the floor and a lower one on the ground. In the upper position the platform fits into a side recess (22) in the vehicle floor, and it is lowered and raised by at least one pair of levers (28) forming an articulated parallelogram mechanism that moves the platform outwards as it is lowered. The platform can be controlled by a power cylinder (60) or a pulley and cable system.

Description

The present invention relates to a vehicle for transporting goods, and relates more particularly to a vehicle of the defined type in the preamble of claim 1.

Generally, freight vehicles are provided with a body whose side walls and / or rear wall are fitted with sliding doors and / or curtains, especially retractable under the roof of the box.

We know vehicles with a rear lifting platform which is foldable vertically against the rear face of the vehicle body, and deployable in a horizontal position beyond the rear of the box. Of the same way, some cases are equipped with side lifting platforms deployable in a horizontal position on one side of the body. This kind of deployable trays is connected to the transport platform by one or two pairs of connecting rods articulated with respect to both the platform and the platform.

Such deployable trays projecting from the body pose congestion problems because their deployment requires space important if we want to maintain optimal safety for the user by having a tray of sufficient size, considerably increasing the size of the vehicle on the roadway and thus obstructing traffic during deliveries in urban areas.

In the past, it has been proposed to control the movements of the set lift either by cylinders, in particular hydraulic, as in GB 2 134 874, DE 295 13 034 or EP 0 818 351, either by rigid guide arms as in US 2,536,954. In the event of malfunction of the cylinders or rigid arm actuators, there is a risk that the platform lift is not retained in a certain high position, in particular if it is loaded. In addition, such control means are often bulky and difficult to install.

The object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle of the type above, which allows to have a lifting platform whose displacement involves a small footprint outside the platform, and whose restraint in the high position is reliable, while having means for controlling the easy to install and space-saving travel without reducing capacity loading platform.

To this end, the invention relates to a vehicle of the aforementioned type, which has the characteristics of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Other characteristics of this vehicle, taken in isolation or according to all technically possible combinations are defined in the dependent claims.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un camion de transport de marchandises illustrant un état de l'art, muni d'un plateau élévateur en position haute ;
• la figure 2 est une vue analogue à celle de la figure 1, à plus grande échelle, montrant le plateau élévateur en position basse ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle arrière en coupe du camion de la figure 2 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique en plan d'un camion selon l'invention, montrant des possibilités d'implantation de plateaux élévateurs ;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des vues analogues à celle de la figure 3, illustrant deux autres états de l'art ; et
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues analogues à celle de la figure 3 représentant deux variantes de réalisation de camions selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a goods transport truck illustrating a state of the art, provided with a lifting platform in the high position;
• Figure 2 is a view similar to that of Figure 1, on a larger scale, showing the lifting plate in the low position;
• Figure 3 is a partial rear sectional view of the truck of Figure 2;
• Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a truck according to the invention, showing possibilities of installation of lifting platforms;
• Figures 5 and 6 are views similar to that of Figure 3, illustrating two other prior art; and
• Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to that of Figure 3 showing two alternative embodiments of trucks according to the invention.

In Figures 1 to 3 is shown a vehicle 1 for transporting goods including a cab 2 for the driver and a platform 4 for transporting goods carrying a crate 6. The crate is provided a rear door 8 and sliding side doors 10, retractable under the roof of the box.

As shown in more detail in Figure 3, the platform 4 comprises a transport plate 12 forming the floor of the body 6 and a frame rigid plate support 14. This frame consists of a pair of side members 16 extending at the level of the central part of the plate 12, and sleepers 18 rigidly connected to the side members 16, for example by welding.

The platform 4 is supported by side members 20 of the chassis of the vehicle, the side members 16 of the platform, commonly known as “false side members », Being clamped on the frame rails 20.

Returning to Figures 1 and 2, a notch 22 of form rectangular is formed in the plate 12 of the platform 4. This notch opens onto a bank 24 of the plate which cooperates with one of the sliding doors 10, and is located between two crosspieces 18.

The notch 22 is adapted to receive a lifting plate 26, of shape substantially complementary to that of the notch.

This lifting plate 26 is hingedly connected to the platform 4 by two pairs of straight rods 28. These pairs of rods are arranged on either side of the board. Each connecting rod 28 is, at one of its ends, articulated around a first axis 30 on the lifting plate 26, and is, at its other end, articulated around a second axis 32 on a rigid hoop 34 of the platform, which is secured to the crosspieces 18 defining between them notch 22.

The connecting rods 28 of the same pair are both articulated with respect to to the platform 4 on a branch 35 of the same arch 34, which extends substantially parallel to the plate 12 of the platform 4. Each hoop 34 further comprises an inner branch 36 which extends along a part of its length in contact with both the outer face of the side members 20 of the chassis of the vehicle and of the external face of the false side members 16 of the platform transport 4.

The lifting plate 26, guided by the connecting rods 28, is thus movable by relative to the transport platform 4 between a high position (figure 1) in which its upper face is flush with that of the plate 12 of the platform 4, and a low position (Figures 2 and 3) in which it is out of the plane of the platform.

In addition, the connecting rods 28 of the same pair are of the same length and remain parallel to each other during movement of the plate 26 so that the articulation points at 30 and 32 form the vertices of a deformable parallelogram.

Thus, during the movement of the plate between its high positions and low, the plate 26 remains substantially parallel to the transport plate 12, that is to say parallel to the ground, while describing a curved path denoted C on the figure 3.

So that the lifting plate 26 is in contact with the ground S in position low, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the axes 32 are located at a distance from the ground S less than the length of the connecting rods 28. In addition, so that the plate 26 in the low position on the ground S is disposed substantially vertically of the notch 22, the axes 32 are arranged substantially at an equal distance from platform 4 and from ground S, which is equivalent to the distance separating the axes 32 from the platform 4 is substantially equal to half of the distance separating the plate 26 in the high position and the same plate in low position.

Furthermore, to limit as much as possible the size of the tray 26 outside the contour of the platform 4 when moving this plate 26, the connecting rods 28 are inclined relative to normal to the plate 12 of the platform when the platform is in the high position, the axis 30 of each connecting rod being more outside than the axis 32 of the same connecting rod.

In addition, a crossbar 31 connects the respective ends of protruding branches 33 of each connecting rod 28 of the same pair. More precisely, each projecting branch extends rigidly from the part end of the connecting rod, connected to the arch 34. At each of its ends, the bar 31 is articulated on the corresponding branch 33 so as to be parallel to the branch 35 of the arch and to form with the plate 26 another deformable parallelogram.

The articulated structure obtained therefore comprises two parallelograms deformable which have the advantage of not being flat simultaneously during displacement of the plate between its high and low positions. Any risk of unbalance of the plate when the parallelogram, formed by the plate, the connecting rods 28 and the branch 35 of the arch 34, flattens, is thus discarded.

To control the movement of the lifting platform 26, the vehicle 1 comprises two flexible traction elements 38, for example straps. Each strap is attached, at one of its ends, to the lifting plate 26, and connected, at its other end, to a drive drum 40, of preference common to the two straps 38.

This drum is disposed between the two false side members 16, the straps 38 passing through through openings 42 formed in the false beams 16. The drum 40 is rotatable about its axis defined by a shaft 44, so as to wind and unwind the straps 38. A motor not shown, for example an electric motor, is connected to the shaft 44 for its training. This motor has a brake adapted to impose a speed predetermined maximum when the drum 40 is unwound. Advantageously, the drum 40 is equipped at its ends with flanges side adapted to guide the strap and thus form a coil.

Two pulleys 46 for returning the straps 38 are mounted respectively on the facing faces of the transport plate 12 which delimit the notch 22. These pulleys 46 are intended to guide the straps during the movement of the lifting platform. Each pulley is arranged so that the point winding of the corresponding strap 38 either higher, or at least substantially at the same height as the point of attachment of the strap on the lifting plate 26 for all positions of the plate.

The vehicle 1 also includes an underrun bar 48 (Figures 1 and 2) including a part 50 located opposite the trajectory of the plate riser 26 is retractable, for example inside the underrun bar.

The use of the lifting platform 26 of vehicle 1 is as follows:

We start by opening the side door 10 and by clearing the part retractable 50 of the underrun bar 48.

After loading goods on tray 26 from the platform 4, the drum drive motor 40 is actuated so that that strap 38 unwinds. Under the combined effect of the weight of goods and the inclination of the connecting rods 28, the lifting platform goes down downwards by describing the curved trajectory C, while remaining parallel to the ground. Built-in motor brake prevents the chainring from speeding too much important.

At the end of the descent stroke, the lifting plate 26 occupies the position bottom of Figures 2 and 3. It is however possible to stop the plate 26 in intermediate positions.

The loading operations are of course done in reverse.

The vehicle's lifting plate thus generates only a small lateral dimensions when moving between its high positions and low, especially when the connecting rods 28 are strongly inclined relative to vertical for the tray in the high position. In addition, no amount or rigid structure does not occupy space in the loading area of the body 6, the transport plate 12 being totally usable for storing merchandise.

The means for controlling the movement of the lifting platform, formed of the straps 38, the drive drum 40 and the motor, are mechanical components with a long service life and easy installation.

Figures 5 and 6 show variants of the state of the art, the connecting rods 28 being shown, for the low position of the plate, in lines solid, and, for the high position of the tray, in phantom.

In Figure 5 is shown a first variant of the vehicle of Figures 1 to 3, which differs from the latter only in form and arrangement of the connecting rods 28. More precisely, unlike the connecting rods rectilinear in the previous figures, each connecting rod 28 in Figure 5 has two branches 28A, 28B substantially perpendicular to each other, the branch 28A being articulated on branch 35 parallel to the plane of the platform 4 and the branch 28B being articulated on the lifting plate 26.

In addition, the articulation axes 30 of the two connecting rods 28 of the same pair are located in the inner and outer ends of the lifting plate 26, so as to limit the extent, along the width of the tray, parts of the tray overhanging.

The L-shape of the connecting rods 28 makes it possible to position the axes hinge 32 more inside than for the connecting rods of Figures 1 to 3, while taking account of the transverse dimensions of the longitudinal members 20 of the chassis of the vehicle. The branch 28A is thus dimensioned so as to place the axis hinge 32 of the inner connecting rod of each pair below the chassis beams. The external lateral dimensions of the platform during its displacement is reduced.

In addition, a cross bar 54 connects the respective ends of 28C extensions of each connecting rod 28. Each 28C extension extends rigidly projecting from branch 28A, in the extension and opposite of branch 28B. At each of its ends, the bar 54 is articulated on the corresponding extension 28C so as to be parallel to branch 35 and forming with the plate 26 a deformable parallelogram.

The structure obtained thus comprises two parallelograms deformable, substantially similar to the two parallelograms described more top next to figure 3.

In Figure 6 is shown another variant of the vehicle 1 which is essentially differentiates from vehicles previously described by nature means for controlling the movement of the lifting plate 26.

In this variant, the assembly formed by the straps, the pulleys of return and the motorized drive device is replaced by two cylinders rectilinear 60, each jack being disposed between the platform 4 and the plate elevator 26. The cylinders used are for example hydraulic cylinders.

Each cylinder 60 comprises a body 62 articulated relative to the platform 4, for example at a hinge point 64 on one of the sleepers 18 which delimit between them the notch 22. Each cylinder 60 also comprises a rod 66 movable in translation relative to the body, whose free end is articulated on the lifting plate 26, for example around one of the hinge axes 30. The extension of the cylinder rod controls the movement of the lifting plate 26 from its high position to its low position, and the shortening of this rod controls the movement reverse.

The positioning of the jack 60 relative to the axis 32 of articulation of the outer rod 28 is chosen so that the downward movement of the plate 26 is provided by a continuous elongation of the rod 66. More precisely, the axis 32 of articulation of the outer rod remains located at the outside of an angular field 68 formed by the extreme positions of the rod 66 when the plate passes from its high position to low.

In a variant not shown, each cylinder 60 is replaced by a cylinder whose rod is not articulated directly on the lifting plate 26 as above, but articulated on one of the two connecting rods 28 of the same pair.

Figures 7 and 8 show two variants of trucks according to the invention, the elements of which are common with vehicles previously described have the same references.

The plate 26 has, for this variant, a width equal to substantially half that of the platform 12 of the transport platform 4.

In addition, the branch 35 on which the connecting rods 28 are articulated by compared to platform 4 is located closer to the ground than to the platform so that the plate 26 is not found under the side members 20 when it is in the low position on the ground S.

When the lifting platform is in the high position, the hinge pin 30 of each connecting rod 28 is located further inside than the hinge pin 32, so that the presence of a load on the lifting platform 26 tends to maintain the plate in abutment on the face directed towards the outside of notch 22. The means for controlling the movement of the plate elevator 26 therefore comprise, in addition to the elements mentioned above, a actuator 70 for pushing outwards from the lifting plate 26, suitable for move the table from its high position to an intermediate position in which the connecting rods 28 are in a configuration close to that of the connecting rods of the lifting platform in the high position of FIG. 1, that is to say with the axis articulation 30 of each connecting rod located farther outside than the axis hinge 32.

The displacement of the lifting plate 26 from its high position to this intermediate position is accompanied by the distance of this plate from the ground S, following a curved trajectory C '. Then the trajectory of the plateau in moving to its lower position is analogous to the trajectory C described upper. Thus, neither the connecting rods 28, nor the lifting plate 26 abut in the longitudinal members 20 of the vehicle chassis during movement of the plate 26 between its high and low positions.

The actuator 70 is for example a hydraulic cylinder, with the rod in support directly on the inner edge of the lifting plate 26 when the latter is in the high position.

A variant not shown according to the invention consists in combining the vehicles of Figures 6 and 7 by replacing the straps 38 of Figure 7 with a or two control cylinders similar to the cylinders 60 in FIG. 6.

Another variant not shown according to the invention consists in combine the vehicles of figures 5 and 7 by replacing the straight rods 28 in Figure 7 by the angled connecting rods 28 in Figure 5 connected by the bar transverse 54.

The variant of Figure 8 differs from that of Figure 7 essentially by replacing the thrust actuator 70 with a rack device 80 comprising a rack 82 secured to the face facing the ground S of the plate 26 and a toothed drive disc 84 in taken with the rack. The disc is linked in rotation to an axis 86 on the same to be rotated by an electric motor not shown, by example attached to the face facing the ground of the transport tray 12 of the platform 4. This engine is advantageously the same as that used for drive the drum 40. In addition, the drum 40 is advantageously carried by the same tree as disc 84.

The profile of the rack 82 forms an arc of curvature adapted to move the plate 26 along the curved path C 'described next to figure 7.

The means for controlling the movements of the plate 26 of the vehicle of FIG. 8 also advantageously comprises a connecting rod 88 increase in the lifting torque by the strap 38 of the plate from its low position. More precisely, this connecting rod is, at one of its ends, rigidly connected to the rod 28 located furthest outside. At its free end, the rod 88 is equipped with a guide element 90, such as a shoe or a roulette. When the plate 26 approaches its low position or begins to move away from it, the rod 88 is located between the pulley 46 and the plate, the guide element being adapted to receive and guide the strap 38.

The use of the plate 26 of the vehicle of FIG. 8 is substantially similar to that for the vehicle in Figure 7. When the tray is moved from its low position to its high position, the rod 88 moves the strap away 38 of the outermost hinge pin 32, and thus ensures the generation a higher lifting torque than that exerted during the lifting of the tray of Figure 7 for example.

In the sets described above, the vehicle 1 comprises a single lifting platform opposite one of the side doors 10. As a variant, the vehicle 1 includes such a tray opposite each side door 10 and / or located in the rear part of platform 4, behind the rear wheels of the vehicle. Such possibilities are shown in dashed lines on the diagram of FIG. 4, the corresponding locations being referenced 26a, 26b and 26c respectively.

In addition, various lengths of the lifting platform 26 are possible, as shown for the tray of location 26a of the figure 4.

Furthermore, although the examples described above relate to vehicles with a body 6, it is possible to equip a platform bare transport of an articulated lifting platform like platform 26.

• l'arceau rigide 34 est remplacé par une ou plusieurs barres rigides portant les axes d'articulation 32, ces barres étant solidarisées à la plate-forme 4 ; l'une de ces barres est avantageusement disposée de façon analogue à la barre 36 de l'arceau 34 de façon à ce que les faux-longerons 16 et les longerons 20 s'opposent au basculement vers l'intérieur de cette barre ;
• le moteur électrique est remplacé par un actionneur hydraulique, par exemple relié à un circuit de fluide sous pression dont est pourvu le véhicule ;
• les sangles 38 sont remplacées par des chaínes ou des câbles ;
• les poulies de renvoi 46 sont remplacées par des anneaux de guidage, enchâssés sur le plateau 12 de la plate-forme de transport 4 ;
• un système de verrouillage du plateau élévateur 26 en position haute est prévu ; et/ou
• des capteurs sont prévus pour détecter la tension des sangles 38, et ainsi assurer l'arrêt automatique du moteur d'entraínement lorsque le plateau est en position basse (sangle détendue) ou en position haute (sangle tendue à l'excès).

Finally, various variants and additions to the vehicle according to the invention can be envisaged:

• the rigid arch 34 is replaced by one or more rigid bars carrying the hinge pins 32, these bars being secured to the platform 4; one of these bars is advantageously arranged analogously to the bar 36 of the arch 34 so that the false side members 16 and the side members 20 oppose the tilting inward of this bar;
• the electric motor is replaced by a hydraulic actuator, for example connected to a pressurized fluid circuit with which the vehicle is provided;
• the straps 38 are replaced by chains or cables;
• the return pulleys 46 are replaced by guide rings, embedded on the plate 12 of the transport platform 4;
• a locking system for the lifting plate 26 in the high position is provided; and or
• sensors are provided to detect the tension of the straps 38, and thus ensure the automatic shutdown of the drive motor when the plate is in the low position (relaxed strap) or in the high position (strap stretched to excess).

Claims (14)

Goods transport vehicle, comprising: a chassis, a transport platform (4) carried integrally by the chassis, at least one lifting plate (26) movable relative to the platform (4) between a high position in which the plate is flush with the platform, and a low position in which the plate is disposed outside the plane of the platform and below said plane, a notch (22) which opens onto an edge (24) of the transport platform (4) being formed in said platform to receive the lifting platform (26) in high position, control means for moving the lifting plate (26) between its high and low positions, and at least one pair of connecting rods (28) connecting the lifting plate (26) to the platform (4), adapted to guide said plate between its high and low positions, each connecting rod being articulated on both the lifting plate ( 26) and relative to the platform (4) at articulation points which, for the or each pair of connecting rods (28), define the four vertices of a deformable parallelogram, the articulation points of the or of each pair of connecting rods (28) relative to the platform (4) being aligned in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the platform (4), and the axis (30) of articulation of the or each connecting rod (28) on the lifting plate (26) being located further inside than the axis (32) of articulation of the same connecting rod with respect to the platform (4) when the lifting plate is in the high position , characterized in that the control means comprise both first control means (70; 80) adapted to release the lifting plate (26) outwards from its high position to an intermediate position in which the axis (30 ) of articulation of the or each connecting rod (28) on the lifting plate (26) is located more outside than the axis (32) of articulation of the same connecting rod with respect to the platform (4) , and second control means (38, 40; 60) adapted to control the movement of the lifting plate (26) between said intermediate position and its low position. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control means comprise at least one traction strap (38) fixed to the lifting plate (26) or to one of the connecting rods (28) and a drive drum (40) to which is connected the strap, said drum being adapted to wind and unwind the strap. Vehicle according to claim 2, characterized in that the drum (40) for driving the or each strap (38) is adapted to limit the speed of driving the strap. Vehicle according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that the drum (40) is equipped with lateral flanges for guiding the strap (38). Vehicle according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the said second control means comprise at least one member (46) for guiding the strap (38) when it is displaced by the drive member (40 ). Vehicle according to any one of Claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting rod (88) for increasing the torque applied to the lifting plate (26) by the strap (38), one end said increase rod (88) being adapted to bear on the strap when the lifting plate approaches or moves away from its low position. Vehicle according to claim 1, characterized in that the second control means comprise a rectilinear actuator (60) comprising a body (62) and a movable element (66) in translation relative to the body, said body (62) being articulated by relative to the platform (4) and said movable element (66) being articulated on the lifting plate (26) or on connecting rods (28). Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first control means comprise an actuator (70) comprising a push rod on the lifting plate (26) in its high position. Vehicle according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first control means comprise a rack (82) fixed to the lifting plate (26) and a drive member (84) engaged with the rack, connected to the platform (4). Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the width of the lifting platform (26) is substantially equal to half the width of the transport platform (4). Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each connecting rod (28) has an L-shape, the articulation axis (32) of at least one of the connecting rods of the or each pair of connecting rods (28) with respect to the transport platform (4) being located under the chassis of the vehicle. Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting rods (28) of the or each pair of connecting rods are articulated on an element (34) secured to the platform (4) and which extends in part in contact with side members (20) of the chassis and false side members (16) of the platform (4). Vehicle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a box (6) provided with a door (10) and resting on the platform (4), said door (10) being reclosable on the edge (24) of the platform (4) on which the notch (22) opens. Vehicle according to claim 13, characterized in that said door (10) is a liftable or retractable door under the roof of the body (6).

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